October 6 Radio History

➦In 1866...Reginald Aubrey Fessenden born (Died at age 65 – July 22, 1932). He was a Canadian-born radio pioneer, who did a majority of his work in the United States and also claimed U.S. citizenship through his American-born father.  During his life he received hundreds of patents in various fields, most notably ones related to radio and sonar.

Reginald Fessenden

Fessenden is best known for his pioneering work developing radio technology, including the foundations of amplitude modulation (AM) radio. His achievements included the first transmission of speech by radio (1900), and the first two-way radio-telegraphic communication across the Atlantic Ocean (1906). In 1932 he reported that, in late 1906, he also made the first radio broadcast of entertainment and music, although a lack of verifiable details has led to some doubts about this claim.

After studies at Bishop University, Fessenden went to work for Thomas Edison, then the Westinghouse labs and the US Weather Service. In 1902, he started his own company to develop his superheterodyne discoveries, and in 1906 accomplished the first two-way radio voice transmission between Scotland and his shore station at Brant Rock Massachusetts.

That Christmas he broadcast the world’s first public program of music and voice transmitted over long distances, from Brant Rock to the ships at sea. He had over 300 patents, and was awarded $2.5 million by the US Radio Trust for his inventions, many of which were used by the US in World War I without his permission.

➦In 1949...Japanese-American broadcaster, Iva Toguri D'Aquino (Tokyo Rose, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $10,000 for treason.

Tokyo Rose was a name given by Allied troops in the South Pacific during World War II to all female English-speaking radio broadcasters of Japanese propaganda. The programs were broadcast in the South Pacific and North America to demoralize Allied forces abroad and their families at home by emphasizing troops' wartime difficulties and military losses. Several female broadcasters operated under different aliases and in different cities throughout the Empire, including Tokyo, Manila, and Shanghai.  The name "Tokyo Rose" was never actually used by any Japanese broadcaster, but it first appeared in U.S. newspapers in the context of these radio programs in 1943.

Tokyo Rose ceased to be merely a symbol in September 1945 when D'Aquino, an American-born Japanese disc jockey for a propagandist radio program, attempted to return to the U-S.  Toguri was accused of being the 'real' Tokyo Rose, arrested, tried, and became the seventh person in U.S. history to be convicted of treason.  Toguri was eventually paroled from prison in 1956, but it was more than 20 years before she received an official presidential pardon for her role in the war.
 U.S. President Gerald Ford pardoned Toguri in 1977.

➦In 1953...Rocky Fortune, an American radio drama, debuted on NBC Radio beginning in October 1953. The series ended its run in March 1954 after 25 episodes. The program was created by George Lefferts. Frank Sinatra voiced the title role of Rocky Fortune for the entire series.

Rocky Fortune aired Tuesday nights on NBC at 9:35pm Eastern, immediately following Dragnet (and a five-minute John Cameron Swayze newscast). It was a sustaining series, meaning that NBC presented the program without corporate sponsorship.

➦In 1976...“Disco Duck” by Memphis radio personality Rick Dees (and His Cast of Idiots) was certified to be a Gold Record.

Dees began his radio career at a Greensboro radio station called WGBG while still in high school.He worked for various radio stations throughout the southeastern United States, including WCAR (now known as WXYC) in Chapel Hill, NC, WSGN in Birmingham and WKIX in Raleigh.

Rick Dees - WHBQ Memphis

His introduction to the international entertainment arena began while working at WMPS 680 AM in Memphis, TN during the disco craze of the mid- to late-1970s, when he wrote and recorded "Disco Duck" in 1976, that sold more than 6 million copies.

Dees was fired from WMPS when he mentioned that his song, "Disco Duck", was almost #1, and his own radio station would not let him play it. The station manager said it was a conflict of interest.



Dees did not perform the actual duck vocals on the song since he could not "talk like a duck." The duck vocals were recorded at Shoestring Productions in Memphis, Tennessee by Ken Pruitt, who moved away before the song became popular, and the vocals for the duck were done by Michael Chesney of Memphis for the concert tour. Chesney had done some comedic voices for Dees prior to Disco Duck. The tour went from Disney World to New York, NY, billed as Rick Dees and The Cast of Idiots. After a 45-day non-compete clause in his contract was satisfied, Dees was hired by RKO Radio to do the morning show at WHBQ AM 560 in Memphis.

The success of Dees at their Memphis radio station, combined with his TV appearances and hit music, motivated station owner RKO General to offer Rick the morning radio show in Los Angeles at 93KHJ AM. Dees helped their ratings, but AM music radio was rapidly losing ground to FM. When KHJ switched to country music, Dees left KHJ, taking a morning position at KIIS-FM in July 1981. In a short time, he turned KIIS-FM into the #1 revenue-generating radio station in America.

➦In 2004...Howard Stern announced he would begin airing his show for SIRIUS Satellite Radio in January, 2006.

➦In 2014...Philadelphia sportscaster Bill Campbell died at age 91. Campbell began his broadcasting career at the age of 17 at a radio station in his hometown of Atlantic City. He moved to Lancaster, PA in 1941 as a Minor League Baseball announcer, and then settled in Philadelphia in 1942, where he lived the rest of his life. Campbell first started in area radio at WIP, before moving to WCAU in 1946 as sports director, taking the same position when WCAU-TV began its historic telecasts, in 1948; he remained in that position until 1966.

Campbell was play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Warriors from their debut in 1946 until their move to San Francisco in 1962, calling Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game.  He was also play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1952–66, Philadelphia Phillies from 1963–70, and Philadelphia 76ers from 1972–81.


Campbell later held down the 10 AM to noon slot at his first Delaware Valley broadcasting employer, WIP, when it switched to an all-sports format, from 1987–1991.

Americans Relying On Social Media For News

A new survey suggests that even though more Americans are relying on social media for news than ever before, they’re not especially happy about how much control platforms have on the information they consume reports qz.com.

Pew Research Center published a report Oct. 2 that revealed that 55% of US adults get their news from social media either “often” or “sometimes.” That’s a 8% jump over last year, and marks the first time that a majority of adults surveyed by Pew said social media played a sizable role in their news habits.

Just about every news outlet, from small-town papers to national news networks, have a social media presence these days. But Facebook’s mysterious news feed algorithms, and the various programs that platforms like Twitter and YouTube use to rank certain content over others, is causing suspicion among readers. More than 62% of respondents said that social networks have too much control over the news that people see, and 55% felt that efforts by social media to rank or prioritize certain news is producing a “worse mix” of news.

Untruths and misinformation continue to be a serious side effect of news consumption on social networks, which remain extremely difficult to moderate. Over 80% of respondents said that inaccurate news was at least a “moderately big problem” when consuming news on social media.

Paul Barrett, deputy director of the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, who authored a report on misinformation and social media, said the Pew report points to a troubling confluence of trends. “Americans are increasingly likely to get news from social media sites, even as large percentages of Pew respondents say they’re wary about whether that news is biased or sensationalized,” Barrett told Quartz over email. “This is a recipe for voter cynicism and intensified political polarization.”

San Diego Radio: Marty Whitney Returns To 91X

Marty Whitney

Local Media of San Diego has announced that Marty Whitney is rejoining Alternative XTRA-FM 91X for mornings, weekdays 5-10am.

He'll partner with Danielle Stuht, beginning Monday, October 7. Whitney is a 20-year air personality and the move marks a return to 91X. During his original stint in the early 2000's, he served as 91X Music Director and handled nights. Since then, Whitney has hosted middays at ALT 98.7 Los Angeles, nights at KIOZ San Diego, mornings at KRZQ Reno, and most recently served as Special Programming Producer for Apple Music Beats 1.

"The kook has come home to roost," said Whitney. "This legendary little station in TJ that hits all of SoCal is once again my home, and I'm overwhelmed to join the great family at Local Media SD. Also, please don't describe my position a "Wake-ups" as it's dated. Call me the Morning Dude. Or, His Morning Dudeness, or uh, Morning Duder, or El Morning Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing."

Co-host Stuht added, "I'm super stoked to have Marty as my partner in the morning. I've been a fan of his for years and he brings a true, authentic vibe that is a perfect fit for mornings on 91X."

91X Program Director Garett Michaels said, "Marty is ideal for mornings on 91X, his enthusiasm is contagious, while his passion for the music, lifestyle and culture of San Diego is always on display. We love the positive energy he brings and we look forward to his contributions to our team."

Disney Platforms Banning Netflix Commercials

Walt Disney Co. is banning advertising from Netflix Inc. across its entertainment TV networks, according to The Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the situation, a sign that the marketing wars over streaming-video are escalating as media giants battle each other for subscribers.

Disney, Comcast Corp. and AT&T Inc.are set to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising over the next year to attract consumers to their new streaming-video services as they look to compete with industry juggernaut Netflix. Netflix spent $1.8 billion on advertising last year and will be playing defense against Hollywood’s new entrants.

Disney, whose properties include ABC and Freeform, earlier this year put out an edict to staffers that it wouldn’t accept ads from any rival streaming services, but later reversed course and found a compromise with nearly every company, the people familiar with the situation said. The exception was Netflix.

In making its decision, Disney evaluated whether it had a mutual business or advertising relationship with the companies, one of the people said. Netflix doesn’t show ads in its programs.

In a statement, Disney said the subscription streaming-video business has evolved, “with many more entrants looking to advertise in traditional television, and across our portfolio of networks.” The company said it re-evaluated its initial blanket ban on streaming ads “to reflect the comprehensive business relationships we have with many of these companies.”

Netflix declined to comment.

AFN Marks 10-Years With Kidd Kraddick Show

Jenna Owens, J-Si Chavez, Part-Time Justin, Tom Arnholt, Big Al Mack, Curt Eckstein, and Kellie Rasberry

YEA Networks announces the 10th anniversary of the winning broadcast partnership between long-running nationally syndicated radio program, “The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show” and American Forces Network (AFN).

“The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show”, one of the most listened-to contemporary morning radio shows in America, has been heard on AFN’s 360’s Hot AC station since October 5, 2009. The American Forces Network delivers “The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show” to the military and their families in more than 175 countries and on all U.S. ships at sea.

In honor of their successful relationship in bringing the highest quality entertainment to troops and their families, Curt Eckstein and Tom Arnholt of American Forces Network presented the cast of “The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show” with the AFN Challenge Coin last week at the 2019 Radio Show at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, TX.
 
Tom Arnholt, Radio Programming and Tech Ops, American Forces Network, said: “The American Forces Network thanks the Kraddick team, YEA Networks, and KiddNation for 10 years of outstanding support, and looks forward to their continued support and partnership with AFN Radio to bring a touch of home to family, friends and neighbors serving overseas.”
 
Robert Ehrman, Vice President, Programming and Executive Producer, “The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show”, said: "Everyone at The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show is honored that AFN has allowed us, for the last 10 years, to broadcast our show to the brave men and women serving our country around the world. We all cherish the opportunity to try and provide a little taste of home to our troops and hope we can bring a few smiles to their day wherever they may be."

Career Changes

➤Ron Parker exits PM Drive at Cumulus Media's Classic Hits WLS 94.7 FM Chicago after almost three years.

Ron Parker

Parker wrote on Facebook, "Wanted to let all know that this has been my last week at WLS-FM Chicago... I started here with the afternoon show in 24th place in that all important demo of 25-54 adults. Now I leave with afternoons 3rd place in a very competitive market. The staff at WLS-FM has done an amazing job turning things around the last few years and consistently putting this station Top 3 and above in Chicago".
➤Marissa Lanchak is out as evening personality at Beasley Media WKLB Country 102.5 in Boston after nearly two years. She joined WKLB in 2017, from middays at Townsquare Media Country WGNA-FM Albany, NY.

➤Pedro Escalera exits at Program Director for KLZT-FM HD2 and Lastino K274AX 102.7 after Sinclair/Waterloo Media closed on thre Emmis stations. He haas been in the Austin market since 2009.

➤Zeka Montana has retirned at Country KBEZ (Q104) Kansas City.  He started in radio at Q104 in 1987 as a part-time DJ, and moved to morning drive in 2002.

Sara Jean

➤Sara Jean has been named APD for iHeartMedia’s AC KESZ 99.9 KEZ and Adult Hits KYOT 95.5 The Mountain.  In addition, she’s the new late afternoon host for KESZ.  KESZ and KYOT program director Paul Kelley states, “I’m excited to mentor Sara Jean as she continues to grow in the industry, but I’m just as excited to learn from her.  Sara has a contagious energy and a unique perspective that will elevate each station.”

➤Shan Berries exits  Bonneville's KMVQ 99.7 NOW San Francisco as talent and morning show producer. Co-Host Greg Sherrell and Bennie remain in place. Berries was upped to mornings in 2018 and previously served in middays before moving to wakeups.

➤Danny Sparks departs iHM's Alternative KRAB 106.1) in Bakersfield, CA after 27-years. He had been PD since 2001.

➤The Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has named Kimberly Howell as CPB’s Inspector General, replacing Mary Mitchelson who retired in April.

October 5 Radio History

➦In 1912...Tony Marvin was born (Died at age 86 – October 10, 1998). He was a staff announcer for CBS, and later became most known as the long-time announcer for Arthur Godfrey.

Tony Marvin

Marvin's first job in radio was at WNYC in New York City. From there, he went to CBS as a staff announcer, beginning October 1, 1939. A 1959 article in Radio and Television Mirror reported that at CBS "Tony did everything from daytime serials to symphonies and in 1946, when the Arthur Godfrey morning show was sustaining, Tony was assigned to it." When Godfrey's activities expanded from Arthur Godfrey Time to include Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and Arthur Godfrey and his Friends, Marvin did the announcing for those shows as well.

Marvin branched out in 1958, adding a two-hour, Monday-Saturday disc jockey show on WABC to his other duties.  In 1961, Marvin became host of My True Story, a radio drama that moved to the Mutual Broadcasting System after having been on ABC and NBC for a total of 17 years. That same year he became a newscaster for Mutual.

In his later years, Marvin had two more stints with programs on local radio stations. In 1976, he had a four-hour afternoon show, "Tony's Time," on WATR in Waterbury, Connecticut.  Beginning in 1977, Marvin had a show on WDJZ in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which at the time was one of the first radio stations playing the "Music of Your Life" format, consisting primarily of music from the big band era. In 1981, Marvin came out of retirement to do "The Tony Marvin Show," a one-hour program broadcast live from the Palm Beach Hilton on WKAO. He said, "I want to bring back live radio." The show originated in the hotel's dining room and featured an orchestra.

➦In 1921....the first World Series to air on radio got underway between the New York Yankees and Giants. KDKA Pittsburgh and WJZ New York broadcast direct from the Polo Grounds, while WBZ Springfield and announcer Thomas Cowan recreated the games in their studios from reports phoned in from the stadium.

➦In 1925...WSM-AM in Nashville signed-on.

WSM is primarily associated with country music through its weekly Saturday night program, the Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio program in history.

The Opry began as the WSM Barn Dance in 1925, but after only about a year on the air, the program's host, "Judge" Hay, referred to the programming as being "Grand Ole Opry" in contrast to the preceding grand opera program on NBC.

In 1932, WSM boosted its power to 50,000 watts, becoming Tennessee's first clear-channel station.

In addition to its vast nighttime coverage area, the station boasts one of the largest daytime coverage areas in the country. It provides at least grade B coverage as far east as Chattanooga, as far north as Evansville, Indiana, as far west as Jackson, Tennessee and as far south as Huntsville, Alabama. Under the right conditions, it can be heard in nearly all of Tennessee and much of Kentucky, and can be picked up as far away as the fringes of the St. Louis area.

The station traditionally played country music in the nighttime hours, when listeners from around the United States would tune in.

Before the advent of television, the station broadcast long-form radio (both local and NBC network) programs in addition to music.

After TV became popular (thus largely eliminating the audience for full-length radio programs), WSM adopted a "MOR" (middle of the road) music format during the daytime hours, and continued to play country music at night. It was not until about 1979 that WSM adopted the 24-hour country music format of today.

WSM is credited with shaping Nashville into a recording industry capital. Because of WSM's incredible reach, musical acts from all across the eastern United States would come to Nashville in the early decades of the station's existence, in hopes of getting to perform on WSM. Over time, as more acts and recording companies came to Nashville, the city became known as the center of the country music industry. Disc jockey David Cobb is credited with first referring to Nashville as "Music City USA", a designation that has since been adopted as the city's official nickname by the local tourism board.

WSM's unusual diamond-shaped antenna is visible from I-65 just south of Nashville (in Brentwood). When the 878-foot tower was built in 1932, it was the tallest antenna in North America. Its height was reduced to 808 feet (246 m) in 1939 when it was discovered that the taller tower was causing self-cancellation in the fringe areas of reception of the station (it is now known that 195 electrical degrees, about 810 feet, is the optimum height for a Class A station on that frequency).

➦In 1934...'Hollywood Hotel' became the first network radio show to originate from Hollywood.  It featured Hollywood stars in dramatized versions of then-current movies and "helped to make Hollywood an origination point for major radio programs." The CBS was heavily promoted as being the first program broadcast from the US West Coast, and continued to do so weekly for the next four years.

➦In 1945..."Meet the Press" premiered.  It originally began on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1945 as American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press, a program to promote The American Mercury, a magazine that Lawrence E. Spivak purchased in 1935.   Before the program aired, Spivak asked journalist Martha Rountree, who had worked in radio and had been employed by Spivak as a roving editor for the magazine, to critique the plans for the new radio show. Based on her advice, Rountree created a new radio program that she called The American Mercury.

On November 6, 1947, while still on the Mutual Broadcasting System, the television rights to the program were purchased by General Foods, which began to air the show on the NBC television network with the title shortened to simply Meet the Press; the radio version also adopted the new name. Although some sources credit Spivak with the program's creation, Rountree developed the idea on her own, and Spivak joined as co-producer and business partner in the enterprise after the show had already debuted.

➦In 1947…The first radio recorded on magnetic tape aired on ABC Radio. It featured a performance by Bing Crosby. The broadcast demonstrated the capabilities of the new Ampex 200 tape recorder.

➦In 1952…After 11½ years on the air, the creaking door of "Inner Sanctum Mysteries" was heard for the last time as the series ended its run on ABC Radio.

SiriusXM Radio: To Launch 'Sway Fest 2019'

Sway Calloway

Oakland, CA native Sway Calloway returns to his roots on October 18 for the first ever 'Sway Fest 2019,' which will bring together celebrities, local leaders and special guests in a celebration of hip-hop, community and culture, to be broadcast on SiriusXM.

The four-hour special will air live from the streets of Oakland, outside Pandora headquarters, beginning at 9am PT on SiriusXM's Sway in the Morning on Eminem's Shade 45 (ch. 45).

Calloway's celebrity friends, performers, local activists and community leaders will gather on Franklin Street between 21st and 22nd streets from 9am PT to 1pm PT in Oakland for performances and conversations on music, arts and the Oakland community.  This Sway-hosted block party is also a way for our Oakland-based SiriusXM and Pandora employees to celebrate the combining of SiriusXM and Pandora.

In advance of 'Sway Fest 2019,' Sway will unveil his own Pandora Story, offering his commentary to a playlist of tracks that shaped him while growing up in Oakland and beyond. While SiriusXM subscribers can tune in live the day of the event, local residents are encouraged to attend this free event to hear live music, meet community and business leaders as they weigh in on important community issues, and celebrate music and culture.

"Sway Fest 2019' is a celebration of an amazing community of people that make up the Bay Area," said Calloway. "I'm looking forward to returning to my hometown and shedding a light on the diversity, culture, uniqueness and magic that makes Oakland an amazing place."

"Sway Calloway has been an integral part of the rise of SiriusXM over the years," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.  "We want to celebrate Sway's national accomplishments in Oakland, a place he has so much passion for, and which also serves as the home base of Pandora, which is now fully integrated with SiriusXM."

Day 3: Sept PPMs Out for Vegas, Orlando, Portland, 9 More Markets

Nielsen on Thursday, October 3, 2019 released the third batch of September 2019 PPM data for the following markets:

    22  Portland OR

    23  Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC

    25  San Antonio

    27  Sacramento

    28  Pittsburgh

    29  Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo

    30  Las Vegas

    31  Orlando

    32  Cincinnati

    34  Cleveland

    35  Kansas City

    36  Columbus OH

Click Here for topline numbers for subscribing Nielsen Stations

GMR Sues Entravision For Non-Payment

Global Music Rights, which represents artists such as Drake and Bruce Springsteen, is suing radio station owner Entravision Communications Corp., alleging that the company played its songs without paying songwriters, reports The LATimes.

Entravision has played more than 130 of Global Music Rights’ songs a total of more than 10,000 times over the last couple of years, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles. The most played songs include Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle,” Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and Pearl Jam’s “Black.” Global Music Rights is seeking $150,000 for each infringement, the maximum allowed, for a total of more than $1.5 billion in damages.

The Santa Monica-based company has three radio stations in Los Angeles — Spanish-language outlets KDLD-FM (103.1) Super Estrella, KLYY-FM (97.5/107.1) Jose and KSSE-FM (107.1) La Suavecita — as well as about 45 other radio stations and 55 local television stations nationwide.

Top songwriters such as Miller, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Drake signed with Global Music Rights, believing that the organization would help them secure a better rate from radio stations, restaurants and other groups that pay what’s called a performance royalty.

Songwriters rely on radio as a primary source of earnings, especially in the streaming age. Recording artists collect the lion’s share of revenue from streaming services Spotify and Apple Music, a source of great consternation among songwriters and two types of organizations that represent them: music publishers and performing-rights organizations.

ASCAP and BMI, the two largest performing-rights organizations, are limited in their ability to fight for more. They collect royalties at a rate governed by decades-old federal statute. Global Music Rights isn’t under the same limitations.

Music manager Irving Azoff founded Global Music Rights to try to raise the rates paid to songwriters. Azoff — who manages Gwen Stefani, Harry Styles and Bon Jovi — started the Los Angeles-based company in 2013 with Randy Grimmett, who previously worked at ASCAP.

Radio stations have balked at the terms sought by Global Music Rights, prompting lawsuits between Global Music Rights and the Radio Music Licensing Committee, a body that represents U.S. radio stations. Their trial is set to go to court in Los Angeles next fall.

NOLA Radio: Cops Want Seth Dunlap's Cellphone

New Orleans police on Thursday obtained a search warrant seeking information from WWL Radio host Seth Dunlap’s cellphone, which is at the center of a high-stakes investigation centering on allegations of extortion, according to nola.com citing multiple law enforcement sources.

The warrant seeks information from the service provider T-Mobile. It’s a move aimed at verifying claims made by WWL Radio and its parent company, Pennsylvania-based Entercom Communications, that a homophobic message aimed at Dunlap and sent from the radio station’s account was actually sent by Dunlap himself.

Seth Dunlap

According to an NOPD report, WWL Radio made those claims after it hired a forensic specialist who examined the station’s “Internet system, software and hardware.”

The radio station has said Dunlap sent the tweet and then demanded nearly $2 million from the station, citing the insult and threatening workplace harassment-related litigation. Dunlap was facing significant personal financial strain, according to the station.

The station told the NOPD that the forensic investigation found an IP address — a unique number given to a piece of hardware, such as a cellphone — connected to the tweet that was associated with Dunlap’s phone.

Megan Kiefer

Megan Kiefer, Dunlap’s attorney, has disputed the claims, saying the radio station has not done anything to prove them. She's noted that her client passed a lie-detector test centering on his denials that he sent the tweet in question.

She has also said that WWL Radio went to the police only after the breakdown of negotiations to settle Dunlap’s complaints about a work culture he perceived as homophobic.

Dunlap, a Washington state native, began to host “The Last Lap With Seth Dunlap,” on WWL Radio in 2017. He had previously co-hosted a sports show after beginning his career at the station as a sales representative.

The tweet at the center of the case went up Sept. 10.

Dunlap shared a link on Twitter to his analysis of the Saints’ Week 1 win against Houston last month, and someone using WWL Radio’s account then retweeted Dunlap’s link while referring to him as a “fag.”

Orlando Radio: WMFE Show Co-Host Accused Of Sexual Abuse

Bryan Fulwider

Well-known Central Florida clergyman and radio show host Rev. Bryan Fulwider was arrested Wednesday after a victim came forward to report having been sexually abused “numerous times” by the pastor as a child, Winter Park police said.

According to The Orlando Sentinel, the 59-year-old Fulwider was booked into the Seminole County jail after his arrest, where he is being held without bail. According to a warrant, he faces 30 counts of sexual battery of a person younger than 18 by a person in position of custodial authority.

He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

Fulwider, known as one of the “Three Wise Guys," is a founder and co-host of the popular radio show “Friends Talking Faith,” broadcast weekly on non-com WMFE 90.7 FM.

In a statement, Orlando attorney Jacob V. Stuart Jr., who is representing Fulwider, said he and his client “vehemently deny each and every allegation that has been made against him."

In a statement, the Winter Park Police Department said investigators met Tuesday with the victim, who reported having been sexually battered by Fulwider repeatedly between 2005 and 2010, when Fulwider was senior minister at the First Congregational Church of Winter Park.

Rev. James Coffin, executive director of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, spoke about Fulwider after the hearing, calling him a friend and respected colleague. Fulwider is a member of the council’s executive committee. Coffin said he could not comment on the case or allegations, but wants justice to prevail.

“It’s critical that we always have the fair and appropriate process,” Coffin said, noting that both the accuser and the accused deserve to be heard. “It’s a sad time for both of them right now.”

Stephen Yasko, interim president and general manager for WMFE, said the show had been put on hiatus “[g]iven the nature and gravity of today’s revelations.” It was not produced by WMFE but was taped in the station’s studios, Yasko said.

Along with his “Friends Talking Faith” co-hosts, Imam Muhammad Musri and Rabbi Steven Engel, Fulwider was a finalist for the Orlando Sentinel’s 2018 Central Floridian of the Year award.

Nashville Radio: WSM-FM's Marty McFly Launches “Hometown Strong”

Cumulus Media announces that WSM 95.5 FM NASH Icon morning radio personality Marty McFly has launched “Hometown Strong”, a charitable organization that will initiate and support philanthropic projects benefiting communities across Middle Tennessee.

McFly, a 30-year radio professional who also hosts mornings on the NASH Icon Radio Network for Westwood One, officially launched the charity this week in his hometown of Sparta, TN, with the kick-off of a fundraiser called “Shop With a Cop”. Working in partnership with the Sparta YMCA and the Sparta Police Department, “Hometown Strong” and “Shop with a Cop” will connect Sparta area children in need with local police officers at Christmas for a free holiday shopping trip.

The main event funding the “Shop With a Cop” program is a benefit motorcycle ride on Saturday, October 19th, starting at 11:00am at Pearson Park in Sparta. Riders participating in “Marty McFly's Blue Light Ride” will receive an event t-shirt and admission to a cookout at Boswell's Country Roads Harley Davidson. The first 50 riders to register will receive tickets to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum attraction in Pigeon Forge, TN.

McFly explained: "Growing up in a great hometown like Sparta was the inspiration for the name ‘Hometown Strong’. Good things start and happen in a person’s hometown - neighbors helping neighbors. I'm just jumping in and shining a light on what those people can and are doing.”

Sparta Police Chief Doug Goff said: "The entire police department is honored to be part of this event. It's another great opportunity to show how the officers here love their community."

Sparta Police Lieutenant Allen Selby commented: "Events like ‘Shop with a Cop’ are what giving back to the community is all about. The police sometimes encounter folks on their worst day. ‘Shop with a Cop’ lets us share in what can be a child's best day."

Kyle Goff, Chief Executive Officer, Sparta-White County Family YMCA, stated: "We know there is a need at Christmas for kids in this community. The YMCA has been working to address that need, and this event will take those efforts to the next level.”

McFly has also created a special limited edition “Hometown Strong” t-shirt, with proceeds benefiting “Shop With a Cop”, which he will be selling at the Liberty Square Celebration on October 12th in Sparta. To find out other ways to purchase a t-shirt benefiting “Shop With a Cop”, email McFly at: marty@hometown-strong.com.

Boise Radio: Chris Matthews Joins KIZN-FM As PD, Mornings

Chris Matthews

Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed Chris Matthews as Program Director and Morning Show Host for Country radio station KIZN Kissin 92.3 in Boise, ID. Matthews joins Co-Host Alana Lynn as KIZN’s new morning show team, airing weekdays from 5:00am-10:00am.

A 17-year radio broadcasting professional, Matthews was previously Program Director and Afternoon Drive Host for iHeartMedia station KBEB-FM in Sacramento, CA. Prior to that, he was Morning Host for Entercom/CBS Radio’s KMLE-FM in Phoenix, AZ, and was Director of Marketing and Promotion for CUMULUS MEDIA in Tucson, AZ.
 
Don Morin, Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Boise, said: “I couldn’t be more excited to have Chris lead the KIZN team. His energy and desire to win is infectious. I have no doubt that Chris and Alana will dominate Mornings in Boise!”

Matthews said: "I am honored and thrilled to be taking the reins of a legendary brand in the most beautiful city in the country. I can't thank Don Morin, Charlie Cook and John Dimick enough for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am so excited to be working again with Alana Lynn, who is as brilliant and talented as it gets. As KIZN is set to turn 30, I firmly believe that our best years are still to come!"

Rachel Maddow Asked: "Are You Part Of The Problem?"

"The View" co-host Abby Huntsman had an awkward question for MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on Thursday, suggesting that she might be part of the reason that people disbelieve media members who claim President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing in connection with Ukraine.

"There has been a crying wolf for so long," Huntsman told Maddow on Thursday, "'This is it, this is the smoking gun, he's out,' for two years now from Democrats, from some members of the media -- that now you have people in this country that are like, 'We don't believe anything anymore.' They're shutting it off, they are not taking it as seriously as they should and I ask you, do you think you're part of that problem?"

Co-host Joy Behar, with a surprised look on her face, asked "Rachel?!" while putting her hand on the MSNBC host's shoulder. Huntsman added that she was in the media too. "So, we're all guilty of things at times," she said.

Huntsman seemed to be referring to the years of media coverage surrounding the Russia investigation -- something that figured prominently in Maddow's shows.


Maddow told Huntsman she thought she made a good point but defended herself, saying Trump's presidency was "scandal-ridden."

"It's a consequence of having a really scandal-ridden presidency with all sorts of stuff happening all the time, that in any other presidency would have already led to impeachment," Maddow said.

CNN Rejects Two Trump Comnmercials

CNN is refusing to run an ad from President Trump’s reelection campaign that questions former Vice President Joe Biden’s role in the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor.

The Hill reports Democrats have been up in arms over the ad, which alleges Biden pushed for a Ukrainian prosecutor to be dismissed in order to protect his son Hunter Biden, who at the time was on the board of directors for a Ukrainian energy company that had been investigated for corruption.

The ad also swipes at three CNN reporters or anchors — cutting to images of chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta and anchors Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo — as the narrator says, “The Democrats want to impeach [Trump], and their media lapdogs fall in line.”

“CNN is rejecting the ad, as it does not meet our advertising standards,” a spokesperson told The Hill. “Specifically, in addition to disparaging CNN and its journalists, the ad makes assertions that have been proven demonstrably false by various news outlets, including CNN.”

There is no evidence that Biden pushed for the prosecutor’s removal to protect his son.

DRAIN THE SWAMP! pic.twitter.com/N3FaZ5Dkjq

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2019

According to The NYTimes, Tim Murtaugh, the communications director for Trump’s campaign, responded that the ad was “entirely accurate and was reviewed by counsel.”

“CNN spends all day protecting Joe Biden in their programming,” Mr. Murtaugh wrote in a statement. “So it’s not surprising that they’re shielding him from truthful advertising, too.”

Trump Suggests Starting A News Network

Trump News Network?

President Trump, who is a near-constant strong critic of the news media, who he calls the "enemy of the people," "corrupt" and producers of "fake news," suggested the idea yesterday of starting a news network, specifically positioning it as way to counter CNN.

While speaking at an event in The Villages, Florida about Medicare, Trump said, "CNN is a voice that really seems to be the voice out there and it's a terrible thing for our country. We ought to start our own network and put some real news out there, because they are so bad for our country. We're looking at that. We should do something about it, too."

Trump has previously tweeted a suggestion of creating a, quote, "worldwide network to show the world the way we really are," as opposed to what he called unfair coverage by CNN. Additionally, towards the end of the 2016 presidential campaign, there was chatter about Trump possibly starting a news network if he lost the election.

Survey: Trust In Mass Media Remains Low

Americans remain largely mistrustful of the mass media as 41% currently have "a great deal" or "fair amount" of trust in newspapers, television and radio to report the news "fully, accurately and fairly." This latest reading represents a four-percentage-point dip since last year and marks the end of improvements in back-to-back years after hitting an all-time low.

Although trust in the media has edged down this year, it is well above the record low of 32% in 2016 when Republicans' trust dropped precipitously and drove the overall trust reading down during the divisive presidential campaign. Republicans' trust is still at a very low level and a wide gap in views of the media among partisans persists as 69% of Democrats say they have trust and confidence in it, while 15% of Republicans and 36% of independents agree.

After hitting the low point three years ago, U.S. adults' trust in the accuracy of the mass media appeared to be rebounding -- increasing 13 points over two years. Yet, the latest reading from a Sept. 3-15 Gallup poll found levels matching those in 2017.

Gallup first measured trust in the mass media in a 1972 survey when 68% of Americans said they trusted it. Similar levels were recorded in 1974 (69%) and 1976 (72%), but two decades later, when Gallup next asked the question, trust had fallen to 53%.

Although overall trust was at the majority level until 2004, no more than 21% of Americans dating back to 1972 ever said they had the greatest level of trust. Currently, 13% have a great deal of trust, 28% a fair amount, 30% not very much and 28% none at all.

Partisans' Trust in the Mass Media Remain Widely Divergent
Americans' trust in the media has been eroding over time, but in the current highly polarized climate, the views of political partisans have become increasingly divergent. President Donald Trump's description of the media as "the enemy of the people" has undoubtedly colored the views of all Americans.

Report: Social Media In A Vise

The social media giants are stuck in a vise as both Democrats and the Trump campaign look for an edge by accusing the platforms of favoring the other side, according to The Hill.

On one side are Democrats, who are demanding that Facebook and Twitter censor President Trump and his campaign.

This week, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey demanding that Trump be suspended and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) ripped Facebook for refusing to fact check -- and remove -- Trump campaign ads it said are misleading.

Democrats are deeply worried that Trump will spend hundreds of millions of dollars and leverage his massive social media following to distort public perceptions, echoing concerns from 2016 when foreign agents used the platforms to promote misinformation.

On the other end are Trump and Republicans, who have long held that conservative voices are being suppressed by Silicon Valley liberals reacting to elite media outrage at the president and his supporters.

Underscoring the pressure on the social media giants -- this week, both Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Donald Trump Jr., a top surrogate for his father's reelection campaign -- renewed their calls for the government to dismantle the tech giants, albeit for very different reasons.

Cable Companies Make $28B Yearly From Hidden Fees

The average cable customer pays $450 in hidden fees each year, and the unexpected charges add up to an estimated $28 billion for the cable industry annually, according to a new report from Consumer Reports.

Fox Business Network reports the nonprofit consumer advocacy group released its annual “CR Cable Bill Report” Thursday. Consumer Reports’ survey found that 85 percent of Americans have encountered an unexpected or hidden fee for a service they used in the past two years. Telecommunications providers, including cable companies, are the worse offenders when it comes to charging unexpected fees.

“What a cable company advertises to a consumer as a monthly price for services, and what the consumer actually ends up paying, can be dramatically different,” the group said in the report.

Company-imposed surcharges for services like broadcast TV, regional sports and set-top box rental add 24 percent on top of the average cable bill, Consumer Reports said. The national average monthly cable bill in 2018 had a base package of $156.71, but fees brought the total average bill to $217.42.

Cable companies are required by law to itemize these fees on customers’ bills. But Consumer Reports said the average cable bill contains more than a dozen line-item charges, creating a situation the group said is “ripe for consumer confusion.”

These fees have also been increasing. Consumer Reports’ survey found that 64 percent of respondents said they’re paying more in surprise charges now than they did five years ago.

For example, one company’s broadcast TV surcharge increased by 50 percent in a year. Another increased its fees for regional sports and broadcast TV by more than 600 percent over four years.

It’s legal for cable companies to charge these fees as long as they disclose them. But Consumer Reports said the companies aren’t all consistent. They’re recommending that the government require cable companies to include all fees be included in the advertised price.

Report: The Bloodshed Isn’t Letting Up At WarnerMedia

According to The NYPost, the entertainment colossus formerly known as Time Warner — whose name was changed after its merger with AT&T — has recently axed 49 jobs in New York alone as it eliminates overlap across its HBO, Turner and Warner Bros. units, a state government filing revealed Thursday.

That figure doesn’t include a host of big-name exits connected to AT&T’s restructuring of the division, which kicked off in March, a source said.

The source added that there “could be more” cuts coming. One insider said that since AT&T acquired the firm last year, the number of cuts has been closer to the “high hundreds.”

Cuts have been sprinkled across HBO, Warner Bros. and Turner, sources said, adding that they primarily come from departments like finance and legal.

In July, the company axed 20 ad sales jobs, dubbing them “redundancies.”

This week, Nancy Lesser, a 35-year veteran at the company who most recently was EVP of media and talent relations, stepped down, but her role is not included in the 49 slashed jobs, according to a source.

AT&T began restructuring WarnerMedia in March when Turner president David Levy and HBO’s longtime CEO, Richard Plepler, resigned.

A centralization of the company followed under AT&T exec John Stankey — now CEO of WarnerMedia — who appointed ex-NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt as the chairman of WarnerMedia’s entertainment and streaming businesses.

Inside the company, staffers are bracing for more cuts. “The bloodbath continues certainly through the rest of the year,” a source said, adding that “the morale is lower than Death Valley.”

Sports Illustrated Plans To Dramatically Cut Staff

Sports Illustrated plunged into turmoil Thursday as the magazine’s new management began laying off staff members in a plan to heavily rely on freelancers, according to The LA Times.

Dozens of staff members are expected to be laid off. The cuts began nearly five months after Iowa publishing giant Meredith Corp. sold the 65-year-old publication to Authentic Brands Group for $110 million. Authentic Brands then assigned licensing rights to a third-party firm, Maven Inc., which now runs the magazine.

The upheaval at the legendary magazine illustrates the difficulties facing print publications that have long relied on advertising and subscriptions. Sports Illustrated was once the dominant sports-themed publication in the U.S. and a marquee title within the Time Inc. magazine portfolio. Magazine magnate Henry Luce, co-founder of Time, brought Sports Illustrated to life in 1954.

But Time Inc. was dismantled in 2018 after Meredith purchased the company. It sold several of the titles, including Time, Fortune and then Sports Illustrated. Meredith Corp., which publishes Better Homes and Gardens and Real Simple magazine, wanted to bolster its female-skewing titles so it retained such Time Inc. properties as People magazine.

Authentic Brands is a New York brand management firm with rights to big-name celebrities Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, and brands including Thomasville furniture, Frye boots and Frederick’s of Hollywood. In August, private equity giant BlackRock bought a 30% stake in Authentic Brands for $875 million.

Authentic Brands retained ownership of Sports Illustrated but assigned licensing rights to Seattle-based Maven. That group paid Authentic Brands $45 million in advance royalties as part of the 10-year deal for use of the Sports Illustrated properties, including the swimsuit edition, in seven countries. Maven assumed responsibility for operating the digital and print editions of Sports Illustrated, which is based in New York and reaches an estimated 2.7 million subscribers.

Martina McBride: Women Have Been Erased From Playlists

Country star Martina McBride has again called out Spotify for recommending mostly male country artists for their playlists and said she felt betrayed at the idea that women were being “erased from the playlists.”



The "Concrete Angel" singer posted on her Instagram story last month that she was listening to a song by fellow country artist Sara Evans when she decided to create a "Country Music" playlist on the platform.

The recommendations Spotify suggested she add to the playlist were all by male artists in the genre.

"I just have no words. My heart is pounding. I can't remember when I've been this mad," she posted on her story about the lack of female artists recommended.

"Is it lazy? Is it discriminatory? Is it tone deaf? Is it out of touch? @spotify what.is.it??? Please help me understand," she wrote.

"I'm frustrated for my sisters," she wrote in her Instagram story. "For all the great female artists who are making fabulous music. For all the female writers. And MOST OF ALL for every little girl out there who doesn't hear this music And doesn't know that SHE CAN GROW UP AND DO IT!!!"

“”We have an entire generation of teenage girls that have a limited example of female perspective on their radio station.

October 4 Radio History

➦In 1922...Baseball's World Series first aired on radio over WJZ NYC and WGY Albany NY.  the announcers were Grantland Rice and W. O. McGeehan.

➦In 1925...The Atwater Kent Radio Hour debuted on WEAF NYC and carried by 11 other stations.  It was a top-rated radio concert music program heard on NBC and CBS from October 4, 1925, to December 17, 1934,[1] with stars of the Metropolitan Opera often making appearances. Classical music was performed by a large symphony orchestra.

➦In 1939...a barber from Canonsburg (near Pittsburgh) recorded 'That Old Gang of Mine' with the Ted Weems Orchestra. That singer was the feature of the Weems band for many years before going solo as a radio, TV and stage star. We know him as The Incomparable Mr. C, Perry Como.

His string of hits for RCA Victor spans four decades. He was an NBC mainstay (radio & TV) for almost as long.  According to Billboard, Como's last Top10 hit was "It's Impossible" in 1970.

➦In 1948..."The Railroad Hour," starring Gordon MacRae in "The World's Greatest Musical Comedies," began a one-year run on ABC Radio. The series moved to NBC in 1949 and continued until June 1954. Marvin Miller was the announcer.

➦In 1957...The comic strip and radio show “Blondie" made the transition to TV, starring Pamela Britton in the title role, and Arthur Lake as Dagwood.

➦In 1986...CBS newsman Dan Rather was mugged in New York City as he was walking along Park Avenue in Manhattan to his apartment. He was attacked and punched from behind by a man who demanded to know, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" while a second assailant also chased and beat him. As the assailant pummeled and kicked Rather, he kept repeating the question over and over again.

Ten years later, Rather's primary attacker was identified as William Tager, who shot and killed an NBC technician outside the "Today" show studios in 1994.

➦In 2014...Paul Revere, the organist and since 1958 leader of the rock band “Paul Revere & the Raiders,” died from cancer at age 76. With Mark Lindsay as lead vocalist they scored the hits “Kicks” (1966), “Hungry” (1966), “Him Or Me – What’s It Gonna Be?” (1967) and the Platinum-certified No. 1 single “Indian Reservation” (1971).